Mac App Store or Omni’s online store? Your choice!

The Blog

by Ken Case on January 6, 2011

I'm very pleased to announce that all of our paid apps are now available through Apple's new Mac App Store! The Mac App Store is the most convenient way to buy our software, letting you purchase, download, and install our apps with just one step, and easily update our apps at the same time as you update other apps you've purchased from the the store.

But to be clear, the Mac App Store is not the only way to buy our software: we'll continue to offer direct sales and updates through our own website as well. Through our website, we can offer much more flexible terms and options: trial and beta downloads, upgrade pricing, and discounts for volume, bundle, and educational purchases.

No matter which way you buy our software, you'll be getting the same product: all of our Mac App Store apps are exactly the same as the apps we sell through our website (except for a few minor changes made to work with the store). We'll also keep future updates to our apps in sync—apps you've purchased directly through us will continue to update themselves as they always have, while App Store updates will appear on the App Store (after a slight delay due to the App Store's review process). And either way, you'll have the same great support from our team here at Omni.

—

A few quick questions that I know a few people are wondering about (because I've already been asked!):

"Why doesn't the App Store recognize that I've already purchased an Omni app?"

The Mac App Store only supports software which you've purchased directly from it. That's even true of Apple's software, as I found out this morning while testing Keynote. And unfortunately, there's no way for us to tell the Mac App Store that someone has already purchased one of our apps. (Though really, that wouldn't be fair to Apple since they wouldn't get their 30% of the purchase price to help support the store's infrastructure.)

There's been a bit of confusion over this point, since the App Store does notice when the exact same version of the exact same app is already installed: it displays "Installed" instead of a price tag. But that doesn't mean it will update that software: as soon as the version number changes (on either side), it reverts to showing you a price tag for that app instead.

"If I'm purchasing from the Australian Mac App Store, why are your prices so much higher than they are through your own website?"

On our website, we sell all our products in our local currency—and since we live in Seattle, that currency happens to be US dollars.

For the Mac App Store, we don't set prices directly; we choose a price tier which Apple uses to choose a price for each region. We've chosen the price tier which is closest to our own online store pricing (just a few cents different in our local currency), but exchange rates fluctuate and this week you might happen to get a better deal buying directly from us than you do when purchasing locally. Please feel free to take advantage of that if you wish!

"Where do I find your apps on the Mac App Store?"

We've added links on each of our product pages, or you can go straight to the Mac App Store's page for the Omni Group.

"Does your 30-day money-back guarantee apply to Mac App Store purchases?"

Absolutely! But please remember that the 30-day guarantee is not intended to take the place of a trial period: we pay 30% of our App Store sales to Apple whether or not we refund a purchase. If you'd like to try one of our Mac apps, we have two-week trial downloads available on each of our product pages. (If you need more time than two weeks, please contact sales@omnigroup.com for an extended trial license.)

—

As always, if you have a question I didn't answer (or any other feedback you'd like to share), please let me know! Either leave a comment here, or send me a message on twitter (where you'll find me at @kcase).

Comments

The iWork update that went out at the same time seems to have registered previously installed iWork apps as installed Mac App Store items. (https://skitch.com/teradome/red19/app-store)

So there may be a way to do it, but it may be comparable to a private API call for the time being.

Noah

01.06.11 5:11 PM

The statement with “The Mac App Store only supports software which you’ve purchased directly from it.” is not correct. I had Things already installed on my Mac, and Mac App Store detected it. It also did detect iLife, but weirdly not iWork.

I can’t figure out what it can recognize, and what it can’t.

Jean-Pierre Avakian

01.06.11 5:12 PM

Team Member

@Noah and @Jean-Pierre: That’s exactly what I tested with Keynote this morning: if you have the exact same version of Keynote installed as the Mac App Store would install, it says “Installed” rather than displaying a price tag. But as soon as you change the version (I just edited its version number), the Mac App Store shows you a price tag.

Ken Case

01.06.11 5:19 PM

I’m not sure why, but I’m compelled to get OmniOutliner through the Mac App store. (I just realized that my license was bundled with my old computer and not valid on the new one.)

What I want to know is if I buy OO 3.9.6 or 3.9.5 from either source, will I have to pay for an upgrade to OO4 when it comes out? I expect I will, but, will OO4 be a “different” purchase in the Mac App Store than the OO 3.9.6, or will my “OmniOutliner for Mac” just update to the newest version.

I know this is all new and confusing, but can it be true that Apple hasn’t made it clear to you how this will work for major updates?

I made one purchase through the Mac App Store today, as the price was more than half off the normal price (Autodesk Sketchbook Pro) and it was a very seamless experience.

witz

01.06.11 6:04 PM

Team Member

@witz: At present, the Mac App Store doesn’t offer upgrade pricing for major upgrades. But if Apple hasn’t added support for that by the time we need it, our plan is to offer upgrade discounts on our own online store to Mac App Store customers.

Ken Case

01.06.11 6:37 PM

I have to ask, when we aussies buy through the app store, do you at least get 70% of our inflated prices - $84 of the $119.99 for omnigraffle or do you still get the $69.30 as per the US store sales.

Because i can assure you that the exchange rate differences are certainly not temporary and it is not just aussies that get affected by it.

Nik

01.06.11 6:41 PM

Team Member

@Nik: Yes, we do get 70% of whatever Apple charges you. Sorry to hear the iTunes rates have been that far out of alignment for so long; I wonder who at Apple one could contact to give feedback about that?

Ken Case

01.06.11 6:56 PM

As a previous commenter said, even third party applications that have been purchased through direct channels *can* show up as “installed” in the App Store. The version numbers have to be the same; at the moment the Omni site shows Omnigraffle Pro 5.2.3, but the App Store is offering 5.2.4.

For example, BBEdit shows up for me as “installed” in the App Store with the same version numbers. Here is what Bare Bones says in their FAQ…perhaps Omni Group could do the same:

I already have one (or more) of these products, but the App Store doesn’t show it as “Installed”. Why not?

The App Store checks for products by their internal application identifier (the “bundle ID”) and the version number. The application IDs are the same for all of our products, irrespective of whether you purchased directly from us, or from the App Store. So, if the App Store doesn’t show your product as “Installed”, the most likely explanation is that it’s out of date. Choose “Check for Update” from the application’s menu to obtain the latest version, or go to our Software Updates page to get the latest versions.

Please note that if you are using a version of BBEdit before 9.0, or a version of Yojimbo before 2.0, you will need to purchase an upgrade from us in order to get the latest available version. Upgrades are not currently available from the Mac App Store.

After you have updated to the latest version, you may need to quit and relaunch the “App Store” application.

If at that point your application doesn’t show as “Installed”, unfortunately there’s nothing more we can do — the problem resides in the App Store app, not the software you own. But there’s still no need to purchase it again from the App Store.

Dan Levy

01.06.11 10:46 PM

Team Member

@Dan: Yes, I noted in my original post that the Mac App Store does notice when the exact same version of the exact same app id is already installed. But there’s no benefit to this other than temporarily seeing the word “Installed”: as soon as the version changes (on either side!), the button label reverts from showing “Installed” to showing a “Buy Now” price. (I tested this behavior with Apple’s Keynote app first thing this morning.)

Ken Case

01.06.11 10:50 PM

Thanks Ken,

I don’t think Apple is stupid, so I guess they will have to figure this out. It would be stupid to not allow major upgrade discounts somehow. They will probably, though, have to be something you bought from them before, so they can verify that you own it. So, I expect, if I buy OO 4 from you I would not be eligible for an OO 5 upgrade price from Apple, but if bought OO4 from Apple, they would credit me for the OO5 upgrade. I don’t see how it could work another way, unless they allow for developers to submit a list of verified owners that can be imported into the mac app store db.

Thank you for the offer to upgrade at your store if Apple turns out to be stupid. What would I need to prove the purchase to you. I guess I don’t have a serial number from them to send you.

Witz

01.07.11 2:08 PM

Witz- We haven’t figured out the exact process by which we’ll make the upgrades available, but we will do so by the time we have a new major version of one of our apps ready to go on sale.

Brian

01.07.11 5:02 PM

I woud concur with what Nik said before. I think the overseas pricing on the mac store will cost you sales and you should take it up with Apple. Paying about $50 more for OmniGraffle pro is just too much.

The australian exchange rate hasn’t been AU$0.80/US$1 since about July 2009(!) and paying a premium of almost 25% on the mac app store (along with no linking to the app store infrastructure if purchased independently) makes potential customers (like me) reluctant to buy your apps (the current exchange rate is almost parity $0.995/US$1.00).

Until this changes, or there is a promo of your apps thru the app store, I’m afraid I cannot see myself buying your apps.

Sam

01.07.11 6:51 PM

Ken - you say you checked that the store detects already installed apps with an exact match against the version number, and you tested that by editing the version number for Keynote.app… but if you just edited version.plist (sounds like this is what you did) that would cause the app to fail codesign validation, which would certainly make App Store.app reject the bundle… I doubt that editing the version number without re-signing the bundle is a valid test…

russm

01.08.11 2:08 AM

What sort of licence are the ones in the App store? I have family licences for many Omni apps, and I wonder if they still make sense if you can, as it seems, install apps bought in the App store on many Macs…

vegaz

01.08.11 6:39 AM

At the risk of obsequiousness…

I just wanted to congratulate you on your attitude towards all of this. As a UK user the App Store is much better value than buying direct (when taking exchange rate and card fees into account) but I’d been hesitating because I was concerned about the upgrade path. Ken’s commitment to offering something for App Store buyers removed the hesitation for someone who is moving to an Omni product from elsewhere.

While the amount is relatively small (about a 25% saving to me, but a much bigger hit for Omni, given the smaller sale price is further dented by Apple’s cut) it speaks volumes for Omni as a developer - so thank-you, for the gesture and your attitude, I wish it were more prevalent amongst developers.

James

01.09.11 1:29 PM

Hi Ken,

Thanks for all the info. I just purchased OmniFocus from the Mac App store, I was sitting on the fence for awhile between Things and OF, but a trial download of OF convinced me to get it.

One plus of the App store (I mentioned this in my review of OF on the app store) is ability to install on a few machines.

That said, is it possible to use my Mac purchase and one of my available install licenses from the App store to install the iPhone version? Even though iPhone app is 1/4 the price, I would gladly use a full allowed install for this version.

Another question I had was the beta Omni syncing method which I read about in another forum. Is that syncing method available via the app store purchase? I don’t seem to see it in the available options, and I don’t have a MobileMe account. (Pet peeve - it bugs me that MobileMe must be subscribed to, I think Apple should at least offer simple syncing capabilities to Mac customers for free)

Anyway, thanks again for the great product, glad to have purchased from the Mac App store.

Wass

01.09.11 3:06 PM

Omni Graffel: Do I really have to pay the full amount for the Mac-AppStore version?
I have the pro version for a few yeras now…

Michael

01.10.11 8:26 AM

The problem for Omni Group with not having our previously purchased versions in sync with the Apple App store is that those of us who have been using your products are not able to provide reviews of your applications within the store. You are missing out on a marketing opportunity. The OmniGraffle Pro still does not have any reviews within the store. Those of us who use and enjoy your products are unable to supply you with the positive reviews that you deserve.

Sorry, scratch that. I also have the Transmit app and it is showing as installed. When I tried to rate it, I received the following from the App store, “To rate this app, you must have purchased it from the Mac App Store.”

That is really stupid on Apple’s part. Those of us who are in the know of the various applications that we have previously purchased are not able to supply reviews and we are not going to shell out more money for the privilege of doing so.

Loren

01.10.11 10:46 AM

Team Member

@Sam: It seems clear that Apple’s pricing isn’t strictly based on exchange rate; perhaps it’s also taking into account relative cost of living? In any case, my advice would be to take advantage of the exchange rate and buy OmniGraffle directly from our website if that’s cheaper, instead of buying it at the Australian App Store. (You’ll get the same app either way.)

@russm: Not an unreasonable theory. However, if I change the version number back but leave some other piece of the Info.plist edited (so its code signature is still invalid), it says it’s Installed. Also, I can take install another version of Keynote (correctly signed) and it prompts me to buy it.

@vegaz: Apple states that Mac App Store licenses are “for personal, non-commercial use on any Apple-branded products running Mac OS X that you own or control.” Omni’s license permits either (a) multiple users to install and use the Software on a single machine; or (b) a single user to install and use the Software on multiple machines. (Or, if you purchase a family pack, for multiple users who live in the same household to install and use the software on any of their machines—which is not something which is allowed under Apple’s license.)

@James: Thanks for the feedback!

@Wass: You can install our products on multiple machines whether you buy it from Apple or directly from us, as long as you’re the only person using the software. (If two people in your family are using the software, then you can upgrade to our 5-user family pack for just half the cost of the original base license.)

The iPhone app is a different App Store product, and I’m afraid we can’t exchange one App Store license for another or even offer discounts. (We have no control over App Store licenses, which is why we can’t offer the same flexible pricing options there as we offer on our own online store.)

Our beta Omni Sync Server works with all editions of OmniFocus: you can sign up for it over at sync.omnigroup.com, and it will email you a link you can use to auto-configure any copy of OmniFocus.

@Michael: You don’t have to pay a cent! You can continue to use the OmniGraffle Pro you already own, just as you always have. We’ll continue to produce updates for it, distributing them directly from our website. (In fact, you’ll generally receive them sooner than people on the App Store will.) But, unfortunately, there’s no way for anyone to transfer any app purchases from elsewhere to the Mac App Store, so your purchase will not be listed there. (It’s not even possible to transfer Apple’s own apps.)

@Loren: Yes, I agree, I really wish that our current customers could rate our apps on the Mac App Store. (But Apple’s apps are in the same boat, so at least it’s a level everyone-starts-over-from-scratch playing field.)

Ken Case

01.10.11 1:24 PM

Is OmniGraffle Pro on AppStore (costs 23,000yen) individual License, or Family License ?

I’m asking this question because…
23,000yen values $275.954 (at today’s exchange rate).

If that is individual license, I think Apple should consider about common sense.

bison

01.12.11 1:29 AM

come on Omni team - where is OO4 - it’s been over a year and promises…first delayed for ipad, then the OS4+ upgrade….we all understand that you are focusing on the ipad for the 2 remaining apps but please give us some sort of ETA on the desktop platform

uc_student

01.16.11 6:06 PM

@uc_student,

your message is an example of one of the reasons why they prefer not to make predictions about dates! If they don’t hit the date, people get cranky. If they do hit the date, they aren’t appreciably better off than if they’d said nothing at all. I don’t think you’ll find a promise of any Omni product shipping by such and such a date. What you will find is discussion of plans and goals. In the mean time, if you find something better to use, you should use it!

Bill

01.16.11 9:41 PM

Another vote for an update for OmniGraffle for Mac. In its present state, it feels like an OS 9 application.

AppleZilla

01.23.11 1:04 PM

Love OmniFocus but it needs a sync to cloud WITH browser access option. On the GTD group on LinkedIn so many people say that they are forced to maintain two GTD systems, because they love OF but are forced to use Windows and/or Outlook at work.

Robert

01.27.11 12:47 PM

I just saw a news article at 9to5Mac that says developers can now offer promo codes. Do you anticipate using this to help people migrate from your apps purchased outside the MAS to MAS managed versions?

Steve

02.03.11 6:11 PM

Steve, I’m really sorry, but there’s no way we could generate enough promo codes to let everyone that wanted one have a code. (You can only generate 50 codes for any given release of an app.)

Brian

02.03.11 6:41 PM

I was wondering how that would work. I was hoping you could link the code to an email address etc so that a single code could be used for each owner in a similar circumstance - e.g. “version X to current MAS”. I think this is a big hole in the MAS and sent them a note early-on suggesting they remove the burden from developers for taking care of this. I have lots of apps I’d like to bring under the MAS but my only option is to buy them again. For cheap apps that’s not such a big deal but Omni doesn’t make cheap apps (that’s a good thing) and I realize Apple has tied your hands in this regard.
Thanks for the quick response!

Steve

02.03.11 7:04 PM

Apple has a special business model for exchange rates, and for most non-us customers this is not to the customer’s advantage. It has been obvious for hardware sales for many years, and is now making its way into software as apple strides to get monopoly control over software sales.
So I am very happy with Omnigroup’s decision to keep the omnistore open, and I hope that you will make great sales in all you channels.

Åke

02.05.11 4:35 AM

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